Barbara Bedell: Convocation ceremony memorable and mainingful

Sunday

Sep 10, 2017 at 2:01 AM

The students and staff at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh stay busy. Aside from school work and related activities, they are involved in fundraising for special causes, tutoring children in the nearby schools and neighborhoods, and helping wherever and whenever they can.

When it came time this year to welcome the 400 freshmen students - the largest enrollment in years - and to congratulate volunteers Susan and Joseph Maloney for their service and steadfast commitment to education and the Hudson Valley, it was decided to combine the two through the 58th annual Academic Convocation.

Aquinas Hall on campus was the starting point where the new freshmen and transfer students assembled. The Maloneys wore the gowns of academia and the impressive ceremony began. Dr. David A. Kennett, interim president, presented the awards to Susan and Joseph for their many contributions to the college and the community. Student Government Association President Kyle McIntyre of Drexel Hill, Pa., addressed the new students, encouraging them to stay focused on academics. Dr. Kennett also urged them to get involved with the local community through service.

“I’ve always been impressed with the can-do attitude of Mount students and their willingness to do community outreach,” he said. “In this they reflect that great tradition of our founding Dominican Sisters.”

It was a memorable and meaningful assembly.

Coming up

** It's not too late to get a ticket to the second “Taste of Warwick,” hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. It will be from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Warwick Valley Winery on Little York Road off Route 1A. A rain date is Sept. 13. Tickets are $70 and available at the Red Caboose on the Village Green where the Chamber office and Michael Johndrow, president, are located. Close to 30 favorite eateries are participating.

** The Middletown Rotary’s annual Horse Show at Fancher-Davidge Park will start at 8 a.m. today. It’s the group’s largest annual fundraiser, which helps so many community projects and needs. Admission is free.

** Polka king Jimmy Sturr recently completed taping his new TV shows at the Paramount Theatre in Middletown and they are airing and getting “incredible Nielsen ratings,” fans report. The shows can be enjoyed on Direct TV-Channel 345, Dish Network, Channel 297, and Spectrum, Channel 297. For information call 651-4266.

** Dr. Phillip Massengill, an Orange County doctor of otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), also is an opera tenor. He’ll be performing at 3 p.m. today at the Paramount Theatre in Middletown in a fundraising production for art called “From LaScala to Broadway.” The Middletown Concert Chorale will open the second half of the show and the Warwick Valley Chorale will close the production. Tickets are $50 and include refreshments

This and that

** Joan Poloniak Sullivan of Pine Island was recently named “marshal” by the Orange County Pulaski Memorial Committee, chaired by Stanley Kocot, to lead Orange County in the 80th Pulaski Day Parade up Fifth Avenue on Oct. 1. Marching with her will be Orange County’s Miss Polonia, Shannon McNamara. Both will be presented at the Grand Banquet at the Marriott Marquis in NYC on Sept. 23. The parade’s grand marshal is the honorable Slawomir Platta, Esq. Congratulations.

Barbara Bedell’s column appears daily. She can be reached at 346-3125 or by email: bbedell@th-record.com.